Category: Writing 101
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Plot Devices to Complicate Your Story
You’re excited to write an upcoming story, but the plot seems pretty simple from start to finish. How can you make it more complicated to deepen your themes, lengthen the story, or leave your readers with plot twists that make their jaws drop? Try a few of these devices to see what works for each…
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7 Types of Conflict in Stories
Some of my links are affiliate links for things I love. They help me keep this blog up and running, with no extra cost to anything you decide to purchase. If you find anything you like, thank you for supporting our community! Sometimes stories get stuck while you’re writing them. It doesn’t matter if you…
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How to Write Metaphors
Making your story stand out to readers requires vivid descriptions. You have to weave senses and emotions into scenes, which might mean using a few well-placed metaphors. Here are a few tips to help you understand why metaphors exist, their purposes, and how to write them more effectively. What Is a Metaphor? A metaphor is…
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8 Creative Writing Tips for Beginners
Some of my links are affiliate links for things I love. They help me keep this blog up and running, with no extra cost to anything you decide to purchase. If you find anything you like, thank you for supporting our community! Starting something new is always nerve-wracking, but you might feel especially anxious about…
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5 Tips for Writing Historical Fiction
Some of my links are affiliate links for things I love. They help me keep this blog up and running, with no extra cost to anything you decide to purchase. If you find anything you like, thank you for supporting our community! Venturing into the world of historical fiction can seem intimidating. The good news…
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What Are Literary Magazines? Plus 5 Things They Look For in Submissions
Submitting your work for publication in literary magazines can be nerve-wracking. They outline what they’re looking for when they open for submissions, but it can still seem pretty vague. Here’s everything you need to know about submitting to literary magazines, plus a few things they generally look for when searching for the next stories they’ll…
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Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation: Writing 101
I adored the grammar lessons in grade school, but I realized they were specific to the school I was in when I switched school systems. Writing 101 isn’t taught the same way in every classroom. Not everyone gets to grow up with grammar quizzes and sentence diagram tests. Don’t feel bad if you can’t tell…
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What Is Creative Writing?
Some of my links are affiliate links for things I love. They help me keep this blog up and running, with no extra cost to anything you decide to purchase. If you find anything you like, thank you for supporting our community! Sometimes it’s difficult to define the idea of creative writing. It may feel…
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16 New Character Types for Your Next Story
Some of my links are affiliate links for things I love. They help me keep this blog up and running, with no extra cost to anything you decide to purchase. If you find anything you like, thank you for supporting our community! Great ideas for characters will come and go, but there are always concrete…
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What Is Showing vs. Telling? Plus 3 Examples of Good and Bad Uses
When I decided to get serious about writing, I was confused about the concept of showing vs. telling. I just wanted to write short stories that meant something to me. Then I let people read them, but not just anyone. I picked people who knew a thing or two about craft. English teachers, the adults…
